Louisiana Political News Service

Film tax credits aren't paying their way, researchers find

Churches: Raise tax on cigarettes

Just 17% Think Government Should Outlaw Smoking

Public Unions Urge Budget Change

Mary Landrieu: Take Funds

Bonds worry officials- Moret says Nucor funds 'on track'

Feds: State 5th in growth

Two face election scheme charges

EDITORIAL: Don't get carried away by earmarks

School districts to receive grades

Regents OK GRAD Act agreement for La. colleges

EBR councilwoman to run for House seat

LHSAA files suit over alleged state interference

Former police chief pleads guilty to lying to federal agents

Ethics Board puts hearings on hold

Ethics Administration puts Lee, Roberts on notice

John Breaux Center shuts down on a dime

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Labels: BREAUX, ETHICS, JINDAL, LANDRIEU, LOUISIANA, MORET, POLITICS, TAX

New Poll Question: Who Is Your Favorite Lobbyist Who Once Served LA In D.C.?

63% SAY STREAMLINING SHOULD COVER ALL EMPLOYEES, CONTRACTS & REDUNDANT AGENCIES

Public option isn't likely in Louisiana

Bigger battle rages over Bayou Classic

Slaughter owes SU refund, lawyer says

Whitmer's raises proved to be timely

Judge takes over Jefferson Parish's public records suit over Lagniappe

EDITORIAL: Parish should release Lagniappe Industries records

PSC pays $13K to end dispute over records law

EDITORIAL: Keep state health scores moving up

Inside Report: Food banks feeding more La. residents

Mayfield to decide on New Orleans mayor's race in a week

City Council race offers peek at financial reports

Blue dog will guard Metairie intersection starting in January

Porteous accusation of bias troubles impeachment task force member

Couple slips though security to crash White House state dinner

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Labels: BREAUX, JINDAL, JOHNSTON, LIVINGSTON, LOUISIANA, MCCRERY, POLITICS, TAUZIN

GOP Governors Press Congress To Pass Stimulus Bill

STIMULUS PLAN HEADS TO SENATE- GOP Leader Says It Could Be Defeated

Washington Watch: Vitter Wants Detainee Plan

Road Home May End With Cash Left Over

TEMPERS FLARE OVER NEW LSU MEDICAL COMPLEX

Ex-La. Insurance CEO To Be Arraigned

JOHN BREAUX- Practice Makes Foolishness

"What Can Happen When The Federal Government Says It's Here To Help"

Cuts Send A Bad Message- "That Higher Education Is Not A Priority In LA"

NOW COMES THE BUDGET-CUT CRUNCH

Washington Mardi Gras' Gaiety Tempered By Economy

JUDGES TO START TO HEAR ETHICS CASES

Quest For Reform Is Here To Stay

Funds for La. coast $1.5 billion short

Washington Watch: Obama inherits Bush promises to N.O.

HOLLOWAY PLANS RUN FOR PSC

EDITORIAL: Tide of Violence- N.O. Fearful and Angry

Economic downturn causes worries for private schools

Anti-Dropout Push

La. Farmers Face Uncertainty In 2009

PROCEED WITH CAUTION: State Railroad Safety Systems Flawed

Republican Clout In Louisiana Helps Steer Conference To City

DOMINGUE JUMPS THE GUN & MISREPRESENTS ENDORSEMENT

Bankrupt Texas Used Car Dealer Named 'Winston' Domingue Is Running

Candidates have no problem with new report

Experts Say Internet Drives, Shapes Political Arena

EDITORIAL: Reconsider the election calendar

Jindal sends help to Kentucky

Inspector general's findings disputed

DA Moore off Odom cases

EDITORIAL: LA 4 Proves Itself Again

Health care activists seek united voice on legislation

EDITORIAL: New space for research

FROM THE COURTS: Former city-parish employee fined in fraud case

MR-GO going: Closure of waterway begins

Some owners move to stop sale of Galatoire's

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To unsubscribe: politicaleditor6@hotmail.com
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Labels: BREAUX, CONGRESS, JINDAL, LOUISIANA, OBAMA, POLITICS, VILLERE, VITTER

NEW POLLS: PRESIDENT & U.S. SENATE HERE

EDITORIAL: Just Say No To Raising Lawmakers' Pay

Lawmakers Defy Jindal In funding

John Breaux On Obama's Windfall Profits Tax

MCCAIN: OBAMA MEANS 2ND CARTER TERM

House Approves State Tuition Increase

EDITORIAL: Big Stakes, Good Order

Wooten drops campus gun proposal

State Museum Director Resigns Amid Struggle For Control

EDITORIAL: Business-like plan aimed at smart choices

Bill to boost clout of inspector in peril

Spending Approvals Out Of House

Lawmakers to reconsider board member disclosure

Jindal Meets With La. National Guard

Defense fund, ACLU 'fight' for preacher

3 more cell-phone bills pass House committee

Gas Prices Keep Pockets On 'E'

'THE BOX' ROCKS: LSU WINS 21-7, HEADED TO WORLD SERIES

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Labels: BREAUX, JINDAL, KENNEDY, LANDRIEU, LOUISIANA, MCCAIN, OBAMA, POLITICS, POLL, PRESIDENTIAL, SENATE

Breaux says he wanted to run- He remains a celebrity in Washington
by Bill Walsh - Times-Picayune (excerpt)

He said he began interviewing campaign staff and lined up fundraisers in Washington and Louisiana. Bumper stickers were designed and scripts for TV ads were written.

He said he knew it wouldn't be a coronation. A Verne Kennedy poll for businessman John Georges, who is considering a run for governor as a Republican, showed Rep. Bobby Jindal, R-Kenner, leading Breaux 39-30. Other polls showed Jindal with a more sizable lead.

LPNS COMMENTARY: The "other polls" to which the article refers showed Breaux trailing Jindal by over 25%. Which is the real reason he didn't run.



Tax Breaks are Tied Up in the House Ways and Means Committee
by MIKE HASTEN - News Star (excerpt)

BATON ROUGE — State lawmakers have a lot of ironing to do when they return to the Capitol today.

They'll have to iron out differences in numerous bills making their way through the House and Senate and make compromises if bills are to pass.

With a huge surplus from last year and even higher state revenue expected this year, numerous lawmakers are pushing tax breaks for business.



Corps Approves Closing MRGO
WDSU Channel 6 (NBC) (excerpt)

CHALMETTE, La. -- The Army Corps of Engineers has approved closing Mississippi River Gulf Outlet. The Corps' decision was made public at a meeting on Saturday.

The Corps estimated the clay and rock dam would take six months to build at a cost of up to $50 million.



N.O. debt burden nears $1 billion
by Bruce Eggler - Times-Picayune (excerpt)

Counting the $55.7 million the Board of Liquidation expects to pay this year on the bonds and other obligations it oversees, the city's total spending on debt service this year will come to $99 million.

That debt is likely to increase significantly in the next few years, the report notes.
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Labels: BREAUX, GOVERNOR, LEGISLATURE, LOUISIANA, NEW ORLEANS, POLITICS

Labels: BREAUX, GOVERNOR, JINDAL, LEGISLATURE, LOUISIANA, ODOM, POLITICS

CLICK LINKS TO GET THE STORY:

Carville- Trust me on this. This is the Big One
by Bruce Nolan - Times-Picayune (excerpt)


Alexander to Run for Attorney General
MarketWatch


Boasso Nears Second Party Switch
by JOHN MAGINNIS - LAPolitics (excerpt)


Dear Louisiana lawmaker ...
by EDITOR - Shreveport Times (excerpt)


Nothing less than the future of Louisiana
by EMILY METZGAR - EmilyMetzgar.com (excerpt)


Huey Long's great-grandson picked, 3 reappointed for UL system board
by JOHN HILL - The Town Talk (excerpt)


Panel delays decision on Louisiana tobacco settlement money
Associated Press (LA) (excerpt)


Donelon- My concern is Wall Street, no other consideration
by C.B. FORGOTSTON - Forgotston.com (excerpt)


Friday a day of mourning in Louisiana for the victims
Associated Press (LA) (excerpt)
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Labels: BREAUX, CAMPAIGN, GOVERNOR, JINDAL, LOUISIANA, POLITICS

Labels: BREAUX, GOVERNOR, LANDRIEU, LOUISIANA, POLITICS

SHREVEPORT TIMES
BY JOHN HILL
(excerpt)

BATON ROUGE -- When U.S. Rep. Bobby Jindal decided to announce his campaign for governor last fall, he chose to do so in e-mail to his core supporters.

The Republican front-runner in the fall governor's race has also used e-mail direct appeals to raise some $5 million for his campaign.

The use of the Internet is shifting politics into a rapid-fire world of e-mail and blogs.

"It has gone from (standing) to more than 60 mph in a few short years," said Lee Rainer, director of the Pew Internet & American Life Project of the Pew Research Center, the Washington, D.C., media research company.

"The Louisiana situation is very much in the mainstream as far as what's happening in the rest of the country," Rainer said. "More is the operative word."

A 2006 Pew project study shows that the number of Americans who listed the Internet as their primary source of political news grew from 7 percent in 2002 to 15 percent in 2006.

"The Internet has become a central aspect of our political campaign system," Rainer said.

(Former Senator) Breaux, who first ran for Congress from southwest Louisiana in 1972, said he's noticed that both political parties use the Internet in particular for negative campaigning.

"Republicans so far have focused on the Internet Web sites to carry their messages out. In some cases, Democrats have used the same technique, though it is clear they haven't done it to the same degree."

LSU mass communications professor Bob Mann said the Internet is the new frontier of politics.

"You could call it the wild, wild west because there is a lot of prospecting and innovation going on," Mann said."There are not many candidates who have mastered the use of the Internet."

CARTOON BY REVOLUTIONARY RASCAL
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Labels: BREAUX, GOVERNOR, JINDAL, LOUISIANA, POLITICS

By DOUG SIMPSON
The Associated Press

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Louisiana Attorney General Charles Foti has decided against issuing a ruling on whether former U.S. Sen. John Breaux can run for governor.

Two state lawmakers asked Foti to weigh in on whether Breaux, a resident of Maryland, can legally run. Foti issued a statement Friday saying the issue should be decided in the courts.

"I must refrain from rendering an opinion on the ultimate issue of whether Mr. Breaux meets the qualifications to become a candidate in the governor's race," Foti said.


LPNS COMMENTARY: AS WE HAVE SAID ALL ALONG, IT'S TIME FOR BREAUX TO GO BACK HOME TO MARYLAND!
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Labels: BREAUX, GOVERNOR, LOUISIANA, POLITICS

LOUISIANA POLITICAL NEWS SERVICE

The good news for John Breaux is 95 percent of the voters know who he is.

The bad news is all the recent polls show only 20 percent of the voters would vote for him as our governor.

Regardless of the opinion of the Attorney General on Breaux's status as a citizen of Louisiana, look for his departure as a possible opponent for Bobby Jindal this fall.

The fact that Jindal has already raised five million dollars and the lack of an expected groundswell of support for Breaux will send him home soon.

Clearly the citizens of our state are looking for a dramatic change in our leadership!
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Labels: BREAUX, GOVERNOR, JINDAL, LOUISIANA, POLITICS

PUBLIC SERVICE: Your right to know
The Daily Advertiser (excerpt)

The Daily Advertiser takes its job as a watch dog for the public seriously. In a recent reorganization of our staff, we created a public service team dedicated to watching after your interests, holding public officials and agencies accountable to the taxpayers that fund them, asking tough questions on your behalf and helping you navigate the sometimes difficult world of bureaucracy and red tape.

The team, which consists of reporters Claire Taylor and Jason Brown and led by Managing Editor Lisa R. Faust, wants to hear from you. Use this Web site to follow our work, to ask us questions and find out some of the behind the scenes things about how we work and the decisions we make every day.

What do you want to see us investigate?

If you have a story idea, something you'd like us to check out or have found something that you don't think is quite right, e-mail Claire Taylor ctaylor@theadvertiser.com or Jason Brown jbrown@theadvertiser.com.



Governor seeks support on budget proposal
by Alexandria Burris - The Daily Advertiser (excerpt)

With less than three weeks until the start of the upcoming legislative session, Gov. Kathleen Blanco is meeting with state legislators to garner support for items proposed in her executive budget and agenda.

But she also wants legislators to increase the spending cap of the state budget, which limits how much the state can spend in a fiscal year.

The move would require a two-thirds legislator majority approval, but so far it only has split state lawmakers along party lines.

She met with Acadiana legislators at the 256 National Guard Armory for a Monday meeting closed to the media.

But some lawmakers left the meeting feeling that Blanco's priorities are misguided slightly.

In the December special legislative session, conservative lawmakers slammed the brakes on Blanco's spending plans when they refused to increase the amount the state is allowed to spend in a fiscal year.

"If the attempt is to spend non-reoccurring money on reoccurring (projects), she will meet the same resistance that she experienced in December," (Rep. Don) Trahan said.

(Sen. Donald) Cravins Jr., said the surplus amounts to $800 million generated from the hurricanes, and it's just sitting untouched as of now.

Rep. Ernie Alexander, R-Lafayette, said the success of Blanco's proposals depend on whether her budget is "conservative enough for the conservatives in the legislature."



Ruling favors Board of Ethics in conflict-of-interest case
by ED ANDERSON - Times-Picayune (excerpt)

BATON ROUGE -- The state Board of Ethics won the first round Monday in a battle with the Legislature over who has the right to investigate allegations that two New Orleans lawmakers violated conflict-of-interest prohibitions by debating legislation that would affect their relatives' jobs as New Orleans assessors.

Nineteenth Judicial District Court Judge Curtis Calloway said the Ethics Board -- and not the courts or the state House -- should hear the ethics case of Reps. Jeff Arnold, D-Algiers, son of 5th District Assessor Tom Arnold of Algiers; and Alex Heaton, R-New Orleans, brother of 7th District Assessor Henry Heaton.

"I believe the board has to hear this matter," Calloway said after hearing oral arguments for about 35 minutes Monday.

House Clerk Alfred "Butch" Speer, an attorney handling the case for Heaton and Arnold, said he will appeal Calloway's ruling to the 1st Circuit Court of Appeal in Baton Rouge and possibly the state Supreme Court at the same time to speed the legal process.

Speer said the House so far has paid $198 to file the lawsuit to prevent the Ethics Board from proceeding with the case. He said his time on the case, and that of an assistant, are being paid for by the House in the normal scope of their duties. The expense of the appeal and who will pay for it have not yet been resolved, he said.



Attorney General To Issue Opinion on Breaux's LA Citizenship
by Lee Peck - KPLC Channel 7 (NBC) (excerpt)

He's considering a run to be Louisiana's next governor, but the question still remains can former U.S. Senator John Breaux legally make a bid on the democratic ticket.

Records show Breaux has homestead tax credit on his primary residence in Maryland and also on property in Washington D.C., where he has been working as a lobbyist since 2005. Breaux and his wife both revoked their voter registration in Louisiana and are currently registered in Maryland.

"The question has already been raised by a law professor in Louisiana: If Sen. Breaux is declared to be a citizen in Louisiana and can run, what happens to all of the out of state students who have to pay out of state tuition," said (State Representative Ronnie) Johns. "Could they come in and get a drivers license, for example, or use a Louisiana address, and then be qualified to have in-state tuition?"

Attorney general Foti is expected to make that opinion some time this week, but the thing to remember here is it's just an opinion -- it does not hold any weight of law. The real answer could be held in the courts if Breaux qualifies to run for Governor in September.
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Labels: BREAUX, GOVERNOR, LOUISIANA, POLITICS

Breaux's Easter Vigil
by JOHN MAGINNIS - LAPolitics (excerpt)

The longer Attorney General Charlie Foti takes to consider his opinion on John Breaux's eligibility to run for governor the less likely it seems the former senator will get the "clear statement" he seeks to launch his campaign.

With Republican leaders saying the matter must be settled in court--after the September qualifying period--the state's top legal officer could cite the policy of his office to not take an official position in face of pending litigation.

That would leave Breaux to start his candidacy without legal cover and to have to raise money and campaign for months with his eligibility an open question and simmering campaign issue. The other possibility is that if Foti punts, Breaux might too.


Alexander Seeks GOP Support Against Foti

Shreveport attorney Royal Alexander, who wants to challenge Attorney General Charlie Foti, will be looking for financial backers at next week's meeting of the board of the Louisiana Committee for a Republican Majority. Not from the group itself but from individual members who are major GOP contributors.

"Our board is not playing in statewide races, only legislative races," said LCRM director John Diez. "But some individual members may get involved," he said.


Despite Talk, Schneider Running for Senate

Rep. Pete Schneider, R-Slidell, states, "I am running for the state Senate right now" despite rumors that he might go for lieutenant governor instead. Political sources in and out of Schneider's camp say current plans could change only if Mitch Landrieu runs for governor and that's only if John Breaux doesn't.

The four-term Schneider, chairman of the House Retirement Committee, faces a well-funded opponent in contractor Jack Donahue, who has been running and raising money since 2005.

They Said It

"Louisiana has changed enormously during the past 20 years; I'm proof of that. I don't think John Breaux understands that, but I believe he will after the election."

--Sen. David Vitter, in the Monroe News Star



Total Political Denial
by LEE FLETCHER - Town Hall Show (excerpt)

The most recent polls show John Breaux at 26% trailing Bobby Jindal who garners 56%. That is a massive 30 point deficit in any book....

First, Louisiana has changed.

We are missing a big voting block in New Orleans that elected many democrats over the years namely John Breaux, Mary Landrieu and Kathleen Blanco.

John Breaux is one of the unwelcome outcomes of a system the bad politics have produced in Louisiana.

I call the place where John Breaux is mentally: a state of "Total Political Denial."

This is a mental state of mind where a politician believes they are always right and never wrong by the grace of some power only they possess.

There are still people out there who think he did something good but I am yet to have them name anything tangible.

The only things he did were to help himself to a big ole helping of Louisiana's rewards all for his own and his families gain.

John Breaux is a pure example of electing the wrong person over and over to only get the same result over and over.

And finally, the majority of people have come to realize that John Breaux is nothing more than a polished and shined-- much slicker version-- of all the trash politicians across Louisiana who collectively have ruined this state and have sucked at the trough for far too long.



BREAUX STILL UNANNOUNCED
by Chad E. Rogers - The Dead Pelican (excerpt)

At the time of this writing, John Breaux has still not announced that he is a candidate for the upcoming Louisiana Gubernatorial race.

Attorney General Charles Foti has not issued his opinion on whether or not Breaux is a citizen.

It has been been eight days now since this web space declared that Breaux should run for governor, saying "bring him on."

More non-news updates on this story as it unfolds.
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Labels: BREAUX, CAMPAIGN, GOVERNOR, LOUISIANA, POLITICS

LOUISIANA POLITICAL NEWS SERVICE

A major point being missed by press and pundits alike is the fact that Washington lobbyist and former "citizen" and Senator John Breaux did not move his voter registration and drivers license to Maryland until after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita struck.

If he were all that interested in "saving" us, why didn't he do it then? Why didn't he move back to Louisiana instead of establishing himself as a "citizen" in another state?

And if he truly is serious about helping Louisiana, why hasn't he taken up residence here and applied for a drivers license here and registered to vote here?

Is he only going to move back if he gets to live in the Governor's mansion?
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Labels: BREAUX, GOVERNOR, LOUISIANA, POLITICS

LOUISIANA POLITICAL NEWS SERVICE


BREAUX STARS ON THE INTERNET AUDIO AND VIDEO (Compilation, JUST CLICK THE LINK TO PLAY):

MP3 AUDIO SONG: OUR SAVIOR JOHN BREAUX
by THE DEAD PELICAN
http://www.thedeadpelican.com/soundsmore/OurSaviorJohnBreaux.mp3

MP3 AUDIO SONG: EDWIN EDWARDS EYES
by TOWN HALL SHOW
http://www.townhallshow.com/files/EdwinEdwardsEyes.mp3

YOUTUBE VIDEO: JOHN BREAUX- KRAWFISHIN' LOBBYIST
by lapoliticalwatch
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eu33onwMfks

YOUTUBE VIDEO: NEW BREAUX VIDEO GAME SHOW- "FAST MONEY"
by lapoliticalwatch
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1sFaaXXuGU

YOUTUBE VIDEO: BREAUX NOT ABOVE THE LAW
by republicanpartyofLA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7M01IELv4c

YOUTUBE VIDEO: BREAUX TALKS ABOUT BOBBY JINDAL
by lapoliticalwatch
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5qFHYLaUdo
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Labels: BREAUX, CAMPAIGN, GOVERNOR, LOUISIANA, POLITICS

About John Breaux- "I think he’ll be beaten by Bobby Jindal”

NEWS STAR
BY GREG HILBURN
(excerpt)

U.S. Sen. David Vitter got his biggest standing ovation from the Ouachita Parish Republican Women’s Club today when he expressed confidence in Republican U.S. Rep. Bobby Jindal’s candidacy for governor.

Vitter, R-Metairie, said he believes that former Democratic Sen. John Breaux will likely be ruled eligible to run despite a question about his residency, but that the outcome of the race will remain the same.

“I think he’ll be beaten by Bobby Jindal,” Vitter said to a partisan crowd.

Vitter indicated that he believes the state courts are stacked for Breaux, who has been living in Maryland for the past four years.

“I’d have a lot more confidence that the legal outcome might prohibit him from running if it wasn’t going to be decided by the Louisiana Supreme Court,” he said.

“Louisiana has changed enormously during the past 20 years; I’m proof of that,” Vitter said. “I don’t think John Breaux understands that, but I believe he will after the election.”
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Labels: BREAUX, CAMPAIGN, JINDAL, LOUISIANA, POLITICS, VITTER

OUACHITA CITIZEN
BY SAM HANNA, JR.
(excerpt)

Obviously having read a poll or two pointing to a desire among the electorate in Louisiana that they're ready for change, Breaux honed in on the change message as well.

It's also all fine and good that Breaux apparently recognizes the way we've handled our business in Louisiana for the past 75 years hasn't worked for the best. Quite frankly, it's been an utter failure on many fronts.

Breaux, meanwhile, has been at the forefront of that utter failure for more than 30 years, or at least the 32 years he represented the state in the Congress.

While it's refreshing that the former U.S. senator-turned-highly paid Washington lobbyist realizes Louisiana must embrace change or face the possibility of becoming a backwater outpost forever, Breaux can't run from his record in the Congress or convince the voters that his record has no bearing on the job he would do if he were elected governor.

The Breaux record in the Congress represents anything but change. By and large, his record is reflective of representation for the people who could afford it, or for those who had the means to make a contribution to one of his campaigns or hire his son as a lobbyist to carry the water for their cause.

As long as Breaux talks about experience and his record in serving the citizenry in Louisiana, his life, including his tenure in the Congress, is an open book. It's like shooting fish in a tank or going fishing with dynamite.

The people of Louisiana need to be exposed to a healthy debate between Breaux and Jindal about the past, present and future of Louisiana.

Breaux represents the past. Jindal represents the future.

It's that simple.
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Labels: BREAUX, CAMPAIGN, JINDAL, LOUISIANA, POLITICS

OUR SAVIOR JOHN BREAUX

THE DEAD PELICAN
BY CHAD E. ROGERS
(excerpt)

CLICK LINK BELOW TO PLAY:
http://www.thedeadpelican.com/BREAUXSAVIOR.HTM


TO THE TUNE OF KINGFISH (Randy Newman)

Transcript of Song:

There’s a hundred billion dollars in New Orleans,
In New Orleans there are billions everywhere
The houses fell down, our relatives drowned
Didn’t one of them bureaucrats care

Everybody gather round, I came back to save you
Your loss I have found
I’m a Democrat you are too
I’m gonna take good care of you

Who made millions off the citizens
Spent thirty years in the public trough
Who looks after Democrats like you
John Breaux do

Who threw a party at the Hilton Hotel
Invited all the lobbyists for Blanco to see
People at Washington Mardi Gras’ eyes bugged out
Cause all those guys looked just like me

John Breaux, John Breaux, everybody sing
John Breaux, John Breaux, It’s a D.C. thing
Who moved his registration to Mary-Land
And his drivers license too

Ain’t no Louisiana citizen gonna run this state
Gonna be run by lobbyists like me and you

John Breaux, John Breaux, friend of the millionaires
John Breaux, John Breaux, He says he’s gonna save this land!
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Labels: BREAUX, GOVERNOR, KATRINA, LOUISIANA, POLITICS

COMPILATION OF QUOTES FROM THE MEDIA OVER THE PAST FEW WEEKS:


THE COOK REPORT (CHARLIE COOK)

If you are Breaux, you've had a great run in the House and Senate, befriended two presidents, co-chaired a federal commission on tax reform, and settled into a private-sector job that is making you a ton of money. Do you really want to get into a nasty race -- and face a genuine risk of defeat?

OUACHITA CITIZEN (SAM HANNA, JR.)

Therein lies the proverbial excrement from a bull in the Breaux corner. He doesn't need an attorney general's opinion to tell him whether he can run for governor. It's simply his call.

TIMES PICAYUNE (STEPHANIE GRACE)

But long before that, Breaux had already revealed himself as a master vacillator -- which, come to think of it, has been one of the rubs against Blanco since she took office a lifetime ago.

LOUISIANA POLITICAL NEWS SERVICE (COMMENTARY)

The "Beltway" backers of our most famous professional lobbyist Mr. Breaux of Maryland and the local folks who have lived off of the "system" for years are pushing their last best hope into a hopeless cause. Between the folks who have left the state and the old yellow-dog Democrats who have passed away in the last few years, the votes just aren't there anymore.

THE ADVERTISER (EDITORIAL)

We believe it is in the state's best interest that former U.S. Sen. John Breaux not run for governor at this time… Imagine how heated, nasty and distracting the fight will get if Breaux runs.

TIMES PICAYUNE (JAMES GILL)

John Breaux makes a fat living as a lobbyist in Washington, votes in Maryland and bores everyone to death in Louisiana while he dithers, again, over whether to run for governor.

There are a lot of young voters out there who don't remember anything Breaux did for Louisiana, its economy or environment. Worse, there are plenty of older voters out there in the same boat.

NEWS STAR (EDITORIAL)

It's not always pretty when ideas compete, but political competition provides voters pause to reflect, to study and to question the state of their state. That's what citizenship is all about.

With no incumbent in the autumn race, this year's election can be less about pointing fingers and more about choosing paths.

NORTHSIDE JOURNAL (Neil S. Kavanagh)

Now, when the citizens of Louisiana are beginning to shout for change; when the old corrupt political machine is slowly being dismantled; Breaux comes slinking back to our state. Like a spectre rising from a dark graveyard, he brings our struggling state nothing more than the promise of Edwards style corruption, cronyism, bribery and racketeering.

AMERICAN PRESS (JIM BEAM)

Therein lies what will more than likely become the key slogan in this campaign. Do we want to look ahead or return to politics of the past? Breaux represents the past.

NEW YORK TIMES (ADAM NOSSITER)

Mr. Breaux represents skill, but he also symbolizes the political establishment. “In a year of reform, John Breaux is a clear personification of Louisiana’s history, not its future,” said Mr. (Elliot) Stonecipher, the consultant.

TOWN HALL (LEE FLETCHER)

Change is in the air. It is blowing across Louisiana like a fresh breeze. The good old boy network is still in business but may be on its last leg. A new day is coming.

ADVOCATE (JOHN LAPLANTE)

Democratic leaders are pinning their hopes of keeping control of state government on a retired politician who might not even get on the ballot.

BUSINESS REPORT (Rolfe McCollister Jr.)

It's time for a Louisiana couchon du lait. The pigs at the trough should be put on the spit. Fire up the coals.

GAMBIT (Clancy DuBos)

If I had to bet, I'd put my money on big changes in the fall. Voters are very dissatisfied with Blanco, but they are far from sated by her demise. Her decision only whets their appetite, in fact. They'll want more red meat come October.

THE TOWN TALK (EDITORIAL)

Breaux has made his allegiances and preferences more than clear. Let him fight for the people of Maryland. He spent 32 years representing Louisiana, first in the U.S. House and then in the U.S. Senate.

Three decades is more than enough to get something done. Louisiana needs new blood and new thinking.

LOUISIANA POLITICAL NEWS SERVICE

The old "Louisiana Way" is about to change whether John Breaux or the ghost of Huey Long runs for Governor. The elections this fall are the beginning of a new era. They can fight it or embrace it, but it is coming like a freight train.

SHREVEPORT TIMES (Emily Metzgar)

It would be hard to find a better illustration of the crossroads at which Louisiana finds itself in 2007 than a symbolic race between new ideas in the form of younger, forward-looking, results-oriented leadership and a blast-from-the-past in the form of a senator-turned-lobbyist-turned-candidate.

Others may be mistaken in assuming a head-to-head competition between Louisiana’s past and Louisiana’s future is the Republican’s worst nightmare. It may be a dream come true.

THE DEAD PELICAN (CHAD E. ROGERS)

I say bring him on. I want to see Breaux run because his fate at the polls would tell us something about ourselves. John Breaux has been involved in Louisiana politics for over 30 years, so his contribution to our current status quo cannot be questioned. If Breaux were to become our next governor, the message from voters would be clear: we are comfortable being at the bottom in almost every national ranking.

THE HILL (JOHN BREAUX)

“I’m Senator John Breaux!” and she looked at me and replied, “Not anymore you’re not.”
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Labels: BREAUX, CAMPAIGN, GOVERNOR, LOUISIANA, POLITICS

NORTHSIDE JOURNAL
by Neil S. Kavanagh
(excerpt)

While John Breaux was sitting at the feet of Edwin Edwards, learning how to become a proper Louisiana politician, I was working in this state, and suffering under the tax burden his mentor created. While John Breaux was campaigning for his first term in congress, I was watching as Edwards' corrupt tentacles wrapped around each and every department in state government, turning each into a bribery, kickback, money machine.

When Breaux was vaulted into the U.S. Senate by the seedy political machine that Edwards created, the good people of Louisiana were becoming intimately acquainted with names like Clyde Vidrine, Tongson Park and Carlos Marcello. While I remained in my home state, Breaux stayed safely away from Louisiana lest the stench of his closest political ally splash on his tailored Washington suit.

So I ask the question…Is John Breaux really a citizen of Louisiana? If he is such a concerned citizen why was he so silent when this state was suffering under the corrupt weight of Edwin Edwards? Why didn't he return to his “home state” and help?

Because he realized his fortunes were tied to the nations capitol, not the slimy cesspool that Louisiana had become at the hands of his mentor.

Now, when the citizens of Louisiana are beginning to shout for change; when the old corrupt political machine is slowly being dismantled; Breaux comes slinking back to our state. Like a spectre rising from a dark graveyard, he brings our struggling state nothing more than the promise of Edwards style corruption, cronyism, bribery and racketeering.

Thank John Breaux and what he stands for, our reputation is his creation.

Now, more than any time in recent memory, the people of this state have an opportunity to create our own destiny by making choices for the future, not relying on the stench of the past. The past is Breaux's gift to Louisiana the future is your gift to Louisiana. Look to the future.


BREAUX ON THE INTERNET AS OF TODAY (LPNS Compilation):

MP3 AUDIO SONG: OUR SAVIOR JOHN BREAUX
by THE DEAD PELICAN
http://www.thedeadpelican.com/soundsmore/OurSaviorJohnBreaux.mp3

MP3 AUDIO SONG: EDWIN EDWARDS EYES
by TOWN HALL SHOW
http://www.townhallshow.com/files/EdwinEdwardsEyes.mp3

YOUTUBE VIDEO: JOHN BREAUX- KRAWFISHIN' LOBBYIST
by lapoliticalwatch
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eu33onwMfks

YOUTUBE VIDEO: NEW BREAUX VIDEO GAME SHOW- "FAST MONEY"
by lapoliticalwatch
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1sFaaXXuGU

YOUTUBE VIDEO: BREAUX NOT ABOVE THE LAW
by republicanpartyofLA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7M01IELv4c

YOUTUBE VIDEO: BREAUX TALKS ABOUT BOBBY JINDAL
by lapoliticalwatch
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5qFHYLaUdo
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Labels: BREAUX, CAMPAIGN, GOVERNOR, LOUISIANA, POLITICS